Here at RUCK, we’ve never shied away from discussing rugby’s notable letdowns, from Andy Goode’s brief stint at London Irish to Sam Burgess’s ill-fated venture into rugby union.
Renowned rugby transfer expert Neil Fissler, currently contributing to Rugby Pass, has compiled a list of the 15 most significant transfer flops. Surprisingly, even legendary fly-half Dan Carter has found his place among them.
Rugby transfers can go awry for various reasons, be it the wrong club at the wrong time or enduring injury setbacks. Some transfers even fall through altogether, leaving a lasting dent in players’ reputations.
Fissler’s list lacks a specific order, but it includes some prominent names whose transfers didn’t meet expectations.
Sam Burgess – South Sydney Rabbitohs to Bath 2014
Dan Carter – Crusaders to Perpignan (loan) 2008
He wrote: “The greatest player in the modern era got the rock star treatment when he arrived in the Languedoc-Roussillon to take up a €700,000 six-month deal, but it didn’t work as intended after Carter played just five games before partially tearing his Achilles tendon in a draw with Stade Francais.”